The Edge -- Published Feb. 20, 2014

The Edge on Sunday was an homage to National Almond Day, and it noted the two different ways that the venerable nut is pronounced.

The Record

The Edge on Sunday was an homage to National Almond Day, and it noted the two different ways that the venerable nut is pronounced.

"ALL-monds" say some.

"AHH-monds" say others.

This great debate drew a couple of responses:

» Rich Ibarra, retired Channel 3 Stockton correspondent and a current Capitol Public Radio contributor: "TV reporting obviously requires more attention to pronunciation than print. Former KCRA 3 TV reporter Kent Pierce, who covered the Valley and many agricultural stories in the 1970s and 80s, had this advice about almonds:

'When they're on the tree, you say 'All-monds.' When they fall to the ground, then they are 'Ahh-monds' - because they've had the 'L' knocked out of them."

» Rock Sytsma of Stockton: "Enjoyed your article on almonds. Actually, both of the editors were correct up to a point. Years ago I worked for my father-in-law in Chowchilla, who farmed and had a dairy plus a small almond orchard. With tongue-in-cheek he taught me the correct way to pronounce. 'When the nut is on the tree it is an ALL-mond, however, to get it off the branch you have to knock the 'L' out of it!' (Editor's note: we're sensing a trend here.) In the 1960s we used a mallet with a big rubber head, called a 'knocker,' to get them down. Very labor intensive!"

Compromise on the pronunciation of "almond" (The Edge, Sunday Feb 16, 2014)

» Maridee Stanley, self-professed almond lover: "The way I heard it, the popular nut is pronounced "AHH-mond" while still on the tree, and "ALL-mond" after it is harvested. You grow AHH-monds but eat ALL-monds."

Speaking of national recognition days, we're sorry to report to you that you just missed National Battery Day (Tuesday).

But today is National Cherry Pie Day, which will warm you up for Saturday's National Banana Bread Day.

On Sunday, Rover takes over. It's National Dog Biscuit Day.

Do you have a potential contribution to The Edge? Send it to editor@recordnet.com.

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